Manchester Derby 197: Pride, Pain, and Possession City vs United Set for Another Classic
Dear You,
197th time, the Etihad lights.
You know what it means.
Glory. Pride. Drama.
History echoes it all.
City vs United is a rivalry born of working-class roots. We have seen it all from Old Trafford to Maine Road. And then Etihad.
In recent years, City has bossed the derby at home.
But United? They’ve had their moments. Last season, United found late magic. Arakunrin Wale definitely remembers.
Derby’s never dead. It stays alive in scars, goals, come-backs.
Let’s take stocks before the game starts.
United’s injuries piling up.
Matheus Cunha (hamstring), Mason Mount, and Diogo Dalot all ruled out.
City is also missing players too.
Omar Marmoush out after knee injury on international duty. Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri also ruled out for City.
Both teams have made new signings. I am in to specially see how Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal for City.
United likely to use a 3-4-3 formation. Big calls for the lineup. Mainoo, Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Sesko might play a bigger role.
For Manchester Cit, liikely lineup will start with:
Donnarumma; Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri, Reijnders, Silva; Foden, Bobb, Haaland.
For Manchester United: Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Diallo, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Sesko.
As usual, City will try to control possession. They’ll push full-backs forward. Haaland hungry as ever. Since he got a lot of attackers seeking to compete against him. They shipped some strikers in from Germany and other places.
United will lean on counterattacks. They will use wing-backs. Use speed on transitions. Expectedly.
Midfield battle will be key: Rodri trying to tie it together for City, United needing Ugarte/Mainoo/Fernandes to make space.
I see City just edging this with a 2-1 win.Haaland to score. United’s counter may work once or twice.
If United miss Cunha, Mount, Dalot badly, City will press them.
This match won’t be clean.
There’ll be emotion. Mistakes. Moments to remember.
Ironically, that’s what makes the Manchester Derby perfect. Even when you think you know the outcome, you don’t.
Your Manchester Battle Spotter
Ediale
PS: Will the goalkeeper be the difference?